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Missing out by not being able to read music?
- Thread starter Dieps17
- Start date
It could be wonderful. For example, many of the exciting rhythms in world music come from cultures that aren't shackled by notation.
Whoa! That was a bit harsh. Let's have a conversation where we can express differing opinions without personal attacks or name calling.
I actually think Topo made a legitimate point about music from those cultures.
Not a true illiterate, as I used to read. But I'm not proud of it, so please let's keep that pianissimo... er... oops...
Harsh? If a charge of illiteracy is so readily taken as a slur why are so many so hot to defend it? He went out of his way to miss my point.
I agree that at it's artistic core music is fundamentally an oral tradition. Hell, we got by without being literate for around 60,000 years. The same could be said about language and literacy though....it's about easier communication and longevity.
I'm hoping that the next AC/DC concert I go to, every musician in the band will just stand in one spot on the stage and play (or sing) from sheet music mounted on a music stand located directly in front of them.
Rock n roll, huh?
Yeah.
That's it.
Rock n roll, huh?
Yeah.
That's it.
You make a good point about longevity. Writing things down is a way to do that.
you hit the nail right on the head ...
Thanks og61. In my book, it's okay to have opposing opinions (in fact, IMO it is very healthy....the last thing I would ever want is to live in a world where everyone has the same opinion about everything).
But IMO calling someone illiterate is like saying they are stupid. And I don't support that type of communication. We are all bass players here, and we need to be supportive of each other, not destructive.
But it is illiteracy...what else you gonna call it? I completely agree there's lots of music that doesn't require the ability to read. Heck, I honestly believe that everyone plays all music better when they've memorized it. As a communication tool though reading is a great thing that no musician will fail to benefit from. No amount of examples of great players who don't read will change this fact.
I play in a rootsy/alt country/post paisley underground kinda band where I'm the only one who reads. We did a session a few weeks ago where we hired a someone to play organ and accordion on a couple of songs. The charts I sent her in advance with hook lines and a few rhythmic figures notated were greatly appreciated and made the session go quicker and more smoothly.
To answer the OP's question, yes you are missing out. You should use every advantage you can to enhance your, and the audiences musical experience. I do read, I know theory, and part of music theory was learned on piano. I did a wedding gig cold recently, and we played an unfamiliar tune. We didn't have charts and the bridge was quite tricky. The pianist knew the tune and when we got to the bridge, she would point with the ring finger on her left hand (while playing), the root of the upcoming unusual chord change. Since I can "read" a keyboard, I knew where to go. Not reading, just an example of how every little bit of knowledge can help. Reading is also knowledge.
Sacto, You're a better man than I. Personally I can't cope any more with these dot readers with their "if you only try, you could be like us" attitudes.
Why don't these guys stop wasting their time in music forums, and think of some more things in life they could notate?
Maybe there could be a notation for how to paint, for example? Oh, it's called 'join-the-dots'. And a real boon to creativity it is too.
OK, a notation for sex then? You could brag to your friends so much more easily and efficiently, and there'd be fewer misunderstandings with hookers that didn't speak your language.
LOL. so now we are choosing definitions and new meanings for words.
If you cannot read or write you are illiterate, whether you like it or not, that is what illiterate means, it has nothing to do with being stupid.
If anyone does not like being called illiterate then they can change that by learning to read and write.
Since many take it as a badge of honour not to read of write music, then they are, whether they like it or not, musically illiterate.
That's just it. I don't have a need to call it anything.
A music reader will read.
A music non-reader won't read.
No biggie. They will both play music and have fun. For me, it's all about having fun in life.
I will say that I think calling someone a non-reader sounds friendlier than calling someone illiterate. (Purely my opinion there).
Your story about the organ/accordion player is a good demonstration of how written music helped in that situation.
